Factors that increase the likelihood of future hypertension
High blood pressure (known as hypertension) is one of the main predisposing factors for the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events.
Hypertension is defined in the literature as an increase in systolic blood pressure to a level of >140 mmHg, diastolic pressure >90 mmHg and/or a combination of these. Factors that can increase the risk of developing hypertension include lifestyle, family history, gender, age, ethnicity and comorbidities. Some of the risk factors cannot be controlled, such as age or family history. However, most predisposing factors for developing hypertension can be treated based on recent research data.
How do daily habits affect the risk of developing hypertension?
- Unhealthy diet: A diet high in sodium (or low in potassium) increases blood pressure. Most of the sodium comes from processed foods (fried foods, diet sodas, hot dogs, hamburgers, sugary cereals, chips, iced tea, margarine, popcorn) and prepared foods. Foods rich in potassium that are protective for the body are mainly bananas, potatoes, beans and yogurt.
- Lack of exercise: A sedentary lifestyle increases the likelihood of obesity, hypertension, heart disease and stroke. Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, at least two and a half hours per week, and its combination with isometric exercise is considered a highly protective measure for cardiovascular health.
- Obesity: More than 67% of adults and one in three children aged 2 to 19 in the United States are overweight or obese. Excess weight increases cholesterol and triglyceride levels, reduces HDL cholesterol, and promotes the occurrence of diabetes and hypertension. Losing 5–10 kg can reduce blood pressure and the risk of heart disease.
- Excessive ethanol consumption may increase blood pressure. Women can drink up to one drink per day and men up to two drinks per day.
- Smoking increases the risk of hypertension in smokers and, to a lesser extent, also affects non-smokers.
- Sleep apnea: Sleep apnea causes severe fatigue in everyday life, impairs patients’ reflexes, and is a risk factor for hypertension, heart failure, diabetes, and stroke.
- Anxiety: There is no research data to prove that anxiety causes long-term high blood pressure. However, during acute stressful situations, the nervous system is stimulated and hormones (adrenaline and cortisol) are released, which cause vasoconstriction, increased heart rate, and hypertensive spikes.
What role does heredity play?
Genes are likely responsible for arterial hypertension, as well as for other heart diseases. The risk of high blood pressure can increase when heredity is combined with unhealthy lifestyle choices (such as smoking and poor diet). Heredity cannot be controlled, but choosing a healthy lifestyle has helped many patients with a strong family history of hypertension to avoid or delay its onset.
How are age, ethnicity, and gender related to hypertension?
The risk of developing high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease increases with age because blood vessels lose their elasticity. Up to the age of 45, a higher percentage of men than women have hypertension. Between the ages of 45 and 65, the percentages of men and women with hypertension are similar. At older ages, the percentage of women suffering from hypertension is higher compared to the corresponding figure for men. African Americans are also considered more prone to developing arterial hypertension.
Secondary causes of hypertension:
Hypertension can be due to secondary causes such as kidney disease, adrenal tumors and hormonal imbalance. Hypertension can also be caused by taking medications such as birth control pills (mainly estrogens), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (via sodium and water retention), antidepressants, decongestants and herbal supplements (licorice, etc.). Special attention is needed during pregnancy because the hormonal changes that occur can cause hypertension (preeclampsia) or worsen pre-existing high blood pressure.
In conclusion, hypertension is responsible for more than 10 million deaths annually and is the most important modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Therefore, the control and regulation of hypertension is a priority of the international health community to reduce death, disability and the subsequent economic cost of cardiovascular events. Factors such as age, genetic predisposition, family history, race and ethnicity cannot be changed, on the contrary, modifying daily life and adopting healthy dietary habits is possible if there is will and planning and they contribute substantially to the prevention of high blood pressure.
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